Someone Like Me

Arce, whose My (Underground) American Dream (2017) recounted for adults her story of hope and hard work in the face of obstacles, turns to a younger audience in an adaptation for young readers.When Julissa was born in Taxco, Mexico, she was a miracle baby for her parents, many years younger than her older sisters. Her entrepreneurial and ambitious parents wanted the best life for their girls, so they sent them to the best private school in the area. In order to pay for tuition, Julissa's parents were frequently absent as they pursued their business ventures. Eventually her parents stayed in the United States to work almost full-time, and their absence was most keenly felt. When Julissa started getting in trouble back in Taxco, her parents sent for her to come live with them in San Antonio, Texas, arriving on a tourist visa. Though technically not allowed, she started school without a social security number, but when her tourist visa expired she became undocumented and lived in fear of deportation and removal from her family. Julissa recalls facing racism and abuse but also making true lifelong friends along the way. In her first-person account, Julissa and her family are presented compassionately but with acknowledgement of their many flaws. Above all it is evident how highly valued hard work and education are to the Arce family, values that push Julissa toward success despite her circumstances.An honest and heartfelt story of survival. (Memoir. 8-14)

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Starred review from December 1, 2018
Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* If the issues Arce, a former Wall Street wonder, now social-justice advocate, addresses in her memoir seem especially topical, it is because little has changed since she came of age in Texas in the 1990s?at least for children in this country illegally. "When I thought of criminals, I didn't think of someone like me," she writes. That, however, is how she soon intuited others felt about her undocumented status. As a young child, born in Mexico, she spent long periods of time separated from parents who ran an import business keeping them?legally?in the U.S. When she finally went to join them, she began life as an American child. Readers will relate to her school victories (making the cheer squad) and troubles (bullies), and tussles with an overprotective father. But her life, it is clear, became divided when she unexpectedly learned her visa had lapsed. Arce no longer felt she could open up to friends, or even, in an emergency, call the police, lest she be deported. Smart and hardworking, she ultimately took advantage of a new law allowing her to go to college. Like today's DREAMers, she makes her appreciation of her heritage clear, along with her gratitude for all of the advantages in the U.S. Offering young people a clear autobiographical viewpoint of a controversial issue, this is a must for all collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)